Silk-like fabrics have a luxurious and elegant appearance. Their light flowing and shiny structures offer a beautiful look, especially for blouses and scarves. However, silk is not only about its elegant appearance; it also cools in the summer and warms in the winter. The only disadvantage of delicate natural fabrics is that they can be more difficult to clean than cotton or synthetic fibers.
In this guide, you will learn how to clean silk fabric delicately to maintain its long-lasting shine. Silk fabrics are usually cleaned by hand washing or machine washing at low temperatures. Acid-containing products and harsh detergents can cause silk colors to fade. Dry cleaning can also be used, but this method may damage the quality of the silk fabric.
In addition, due to the natural structure of silk fabrics, it is recommended to iron them regularly to keep them smooth and shiny. It is important to properly lay silk fabrics flat during storage to prevent folds and creases. With appropriate cleaning and care methods, silk fabrics can maintain their long-lasting beauty.
What is silk fabric?
Silk is a natural fabric and is very light, delicate, and soft. The silk fiber obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm is made of protein and is very sensitive. Silk fabrics are available in various types such as chiffon, organza, satin, taffeta, and burette. However, these fabrics can also be made with synthetic silk, so try to determine if the fabric is made of natural silk or silk-containing fibers by examining the label. Hot water or excessive heat should be avoided during any process applied to silk fabrics because they are sensitive and not resistant to excessive heat. In addition, silk fabrics are also sensitive to factors such as sweat, perfume, deodorant, and direct sunlight. Therefore, it is necessary to store and use your silk fabrics in a way that requires proper care.
Preparing Silk Fabric for Washing
The care of silk fabric is quite delicate and must be done correctly. Checking the garment’s label may contain important information such as whether it can be washed or sent for dry cleaning. In addition, it is important to do a color test. To do a color test, you can dip a piece of cotton in water with mild detergent and carefully press the damp cotton onto a hidden seam. If the color sticks to the cotton, it is more appropriate to send the garment for dry cleaning than to wash it at home. However, always following the label and applying the recommended care methods is the best approach. Silk fabrics are very delicate and easily damaged, so the importance of proper care cannot be overstated.
How to Wash Silk Fabric
Washing silk fabric can be safe and effective depending on the right method and materials used. The care label of the silk fabric shows the most suitable washing temperature, and this temperature should never exceed 30°C. A suitable detergent for silk, such as Perwoll Wool and Delicates, ensures that the fabric stays beautiful for a long time and only cleans the fibers.
Light-colored silk fabrics should be washed in warm water, while dark-colored or carefully printed silk fabrics should be washed in cold water. During the rinsing process, permanent but careful movements should be made and the wet silk should be moved carefully as it is delicate when wet. After the rinsing process is complete, the silk fabric should be rinsed again with cold, clean water after being left to wait for at least 5 minutes.
These methods, when applied correctly, will help maintain silk fabric beautifully and permanently.
Removing Stains from Silk Fabric
Silk fabrics are among the delicate and sensitive textures that need to be careful during the process of removing stains. Washing the entire stained silk fabric will prevent water stains from forming in other areas of the fabric. In addition, silk fabric should not come into contact with bleach or other stain removers. These materials can lighten the fabric’s color and make it harmful. Rubbing the stain can also make the fabric harmful and is not recommended.
If the stain is too large or dark, dry cleaning the garment is the most appropriate option. When dry cleaning is done by a professional team, the quality and appearance of the silk fabric can be preserved. During the process of removing stains, it is important to take care of and maintain the silk fabric properly so that the garment can be durable and beautiful for a long time.
Drying Silk Fabric
During the drying process of silk fabric, it is not recommended to use hot air drying as it can damage the quality and appearance of the silk. Instead, after washing, it is suggested to gently place the garment on a dry towel and lightly squeeze it. The towel and silk should never be twisted or wrung as this can cause shape distortions and deformations in the silk.
After the pre-drying process is completed, the towel is gently rolled again and the garment is placed on a second towel. Direct exposure to sunlight is not recommended for the garment as it can cause the silk’s color to fade and rust. To ensure that your clothing lasts for a long time and looks beautiful, attention must be paid to properly drying silk fabric.
Ironing Silk Fabric
The care label provides the necessary information for the proper maintenance of silk garments. The label provides information on whether the silk fabric can be ironed or not, and also provides information on the temperature level at which the ironing should be done.
It is important to always pay attention to the proper ironing of silk garments. Silk fabric should be ironed from the inside without spraying water and should be ironed like cotton or linen fabrics. Additionally, attention should be paid to the temperature level specified by the label, as excessive heat can cause the silk fabric to deform or fade in color. To ensure that silk garments last for a long time and look beautiful, attention must be paid to the information provided on the care label.